While fashion can no longer be considered outside of any social and environmental awareness, second-hand fashion appears to many as an alternative to the fast fashion craze, where most clothes lose appeal as the trend swaps, which nowadays, is incredibly quickly. Because second-hand shopping can be tricky to some, here is a small, quick guide for everything you should know before you go.
Ask yourself if you really need it
This is the #1 rule. Even when buying second-hand, it still remains an act of consumption, so you should still think before purchasing. Asking questions such as “Do I really need/want it?”, “Will I wear it?” and “What will I pair it with?” may seem obvious, but it is sometimes these small reflections that allow us to distance ourselves from a buildup.
Do your research
Whether it’s your favorite designer, the latest trend in sight or the model you’ve adored for months, if not years, doing your research is essential to save time and energy. Above all, it’s the surest way not to miss out on the item of your dreams, if you have a more or less precise idea of it. Moreover, if your search for a rare piece is done on the Internet or an app, try filters rather than keywords, which reduce your searches to a single language (and therefore fewer sellers).
Create an address book
Nothing beats the good addresses that we have tested and approved, or that our friends have recommended to us. Thrift stores, consignment stores, e-shops… Jot down their names in a notebook or in a note on your phone and you will be delighted to have them at your fingertips throughout a shopping spree, a stop in an unknown city or just to advise a friend.
Check the condition of the item
Second-hand fashion pieces are usually already worn, and therefore pretty used. Seams, collars, buttonholes, armpits or shoe soles… Take a good look at the areas that tend to be damaged easily in the items you are considering and choose accordingly. If the purchase is online, ask for photos.
Don’t hesitate to discuss with sellers
If you have any questions regarding an item you are about to purchase, ask the seller. They will likely be able to guide you. Then, for the most materialistic shoppers, discussing with the owner of an item that interests you is also an opportunity to negotiate its price, within reasonable limits and when the conditions are suitable.
Be patient
Those who have already ventured there know that this way of buying has its own codes and one of the key ones is never really knowing what you are going to find. This is also a major distinction compared to fast fashion which is full of everything, everywhere and at will. The tips to adopt to however increase your chances of finding a perfect piece: use the notifications on the platforms, ask the day of arrivals in the shops, and do not hesitate to search, in person as well as online, as much as possible.
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